Becoming a Dutch citizen by option

For the option conditions check the  Immigration and Naturalisation Service website.(Externe link)

• There are two ways to become a Dutch citizen:
  1. Through naturalisation. You must then submit an application to become a Dutch citizen. The King will decide on your application. This option is available mainly to non-Dutch citizens who have not yet been in the Netherlands for very long. Read more about  the naturalisation conditions on the INS website.(Externe link)
  2. By option. You then declare by means of an option statement that you wish to become a Dutch citizen. The mayor will decide on your application. This option is available mainly to non-Dutch citizens who have been living in the Netherlands for a long time. Read more about the option conditions on the INS website. (Externe link)

• A valid passport or other travel document.
• A valid residence permit.
• A birth certificate (of all applicants) from your country of origin, if you have never shown it to the municipality before.

Foreign documents often need to be legalised and translated before you can use them in the Netherlands. Read more about the legalisation and translation of foreign documents on the INS website.(Externe link)

Unlike naturalisation, the municipality assesses your option application itself. The law states that the municipality has 13 weeks to decide on your application. This period is called the decision period. The municipality can extend the decision period once by a maximum of 13 weeks. When the municipality has assessed your application, you will receive the decision. It is contained in a letter. The decision can be positive or negative.

• Positive decision: the municipality approves your option application. However, this does not mean that you will immediately become a Dutch citizen. Read what else you have to do to become a Dutch citizen.
• Negative decision: You will not be granted Dutch citizenship. The decision explains why not.

• Option application single €200
• Option application multiple (married couple or registered partners) €342
• (Co-)option application for a minor child (per child) €22